Stanford hopes to go further in the NCAA men’s soccer tournament this year. The Cardinal finished 10-7-4 a year ago, losing to Washington 1-0 in the Round of 16.

It was Stanford’s first playoff appearance since 2009.

Stanford hosts St. Mary’s of Moraga on Saturday night at 7 in the Cardinal’s second exhibition match, having defeated Cal State Bakersfield 1-0 in a no-count match Tuesday. Stanford starts the preseason Friday, Aug. 29 against Creighton in Omaha, Neb.

Third-year coach Jeremy Gunn is confident his side can make a determined run in 2014.

“We have a much greater depth to the squad this year … which is awesome,” Gunn said. “The returning group has continued to create a much stronger culture. Things are becoming more ingrained in the program.”

Stanford, ranked No. 20 in the national coaches’ preseason poll, was picked third in a Pac-12 preseason poll behind Washington and UCLA. Those two teams are ranked in the top 10 nationally, as is Cal.

“Last year, the Pac-12 was the strongest men’s soccer conference in the country,” Gunn said. “I don’t see it changing this year. The level of competition is remarkable. It’s hard for people to make predictions in this conference.”

The Pac-12 has six teams — UCLA, Washington, Cal, Stanford, Oregon State and San Diego State — with each team playing each other twice. Stanford starts conference play at Oregon State on Oct. 2.

“It’s a great challenge for the coaches to play each other twice,” Gunn said. “You see results change because things change, such as tactics.”

Stanford is led up front by sophomore striker Jordan Morris, a member of the U.S. under-23 team. Last year, Morris led all freshmen in the conference in assists (a team-leading seven) and points (19).

“Jordan Morris is an exceptional talent,” Gunn said. “He has a wonderful attitude and is a grounded individual. He has abilities other players don’t have. He’s a major threat up front.”

“I like scoring and like dishing off,” Morris said. “I play with good forwards. Zach Batteer is a great finisher. Whatever is on at the moment.”

Batteer, a senior, gives the Cardinal a nice 1-2 punch.

“Between Zach and Jordan, we have two forwards that every team in the country has to respect,” Gunn said. “They’re so powerful and so ‘pacy.’ They’re always going to cause trouble for defenses.”

The Cardinal was dealt a blow in the offseason when midfielder Aaron Kovar opted to leave after two seasons to join the Seattle Sounders of Major League Soccer. Like Morris, Kovar is a former Washington state high school player of the year.

Stanford will be buoyed by central midfielders Slater Meehan and Austin Meyer. Tyler Thompson also returns in the middle. Outside midfielders are solid with Bobby Edwards, who scored Stanford’s goal against Bakersfield, and true freshman Corey Baird, from Escondido.

A lot of experience is in the backline for the Cardinal, spearheaded by captains Jimmy Callinan and Brandon Vincent.

“They’re strong defenders who read the game the right way,” said Gunn of Callinan and Vincent.

“We put in the work during the summer,” Callinan said. “It’s all coming together now. I hope we can get farther this year. We have the talent to do it.”

Other experienced players on whom Gunn can rely defense include Brian Nana-Sinkham and Tomas HIllard-Arce.

There will be a serious battle for the starting goalie position between sophomores Andrew Epstein and Nico Corti. Gunn hopes to name a No. 1 goalie by next week.

“I would like to make a decision on a starting keeper so they know where they stand,” Gunn said. “Normally, we want to create a bit of continuity.”

Stanford’s first home match is against San Jose State on Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. That starts a run of five straight home contests, including a match against No. 18 UC Santa Barbara on Sept. 9.

“Every game we played with the top teams last year was competitive,” Morris said. “We think we’re better this year. We go into every game thinking we can beat this team.”

Gunn said fans won’t be disappointed if they come to watch his club’s brand of soccer.

“We like to call it ‘power soccer,’ ” Gunn said. “We’re strong, physically, defending as a unit. We have a desire to score goals. We look to attack. We don’t like to play at a slow tempo because I find that less exciting. I want fans to come out and watch action.”

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